Can a Store Ever Be a ‘Third Place?’

A Texas boot brand planting roots in the heart of SoHo is curious enough.

But the real surprise inside Tecovas’ first New York store can be found towards the back: a full bar serving beers, bourbons and old fashioneds — all on the house, no purchase necessary. In fact, drinks are free at all but one of Tecovas’ 50 stores nationwide.

Tecovas’ generosity of spirits — what it calls “radical hospitality” — is among the bolder attempts to solve a perennial question in retail: how…